Clamp-support.



P. G. MAOGREGOR.

CLAMP SUPPORT. APPLICATION FILED 11111.5, 1911.

BatentedJuly 11,1911.

- UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIoE.

P TER" GRAHAM mxeenneon, on NEW YORK, N. Y.-

CLAMP-SUPPORT.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented July 11, 1911..

Application filed January 5, 1911. Serial No. 601,017.

- This device is so constructed, moreover, that the object may beinstantly disengaged from the support when, for example, it is wantedfor immediate us i The present device. embodies as one of its features aclamping part, for instance a ring so mounted that by the force of theinserted object it may be given a limited movement laterally of theplane ofthe ring, thismovement sufficing to contract the ring on andthereby clamp the object; a reverse movement, conversely, serves torelease the object and" thereby permit its withdrawal.

Another feature of the present device relates to simplicity andcheapness of manufacture. In the drawing accompanying the presentspecification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clamp supportembodying the features of my present improvements,- a supported objectbeing indicated in dotted outline. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing't-he parts in'the position assumed when the ring is expanded and readyfor the insertion of the object. Fig. 3 is an elevation ofthe supportingplate of the device, here shown as a stamping with blanked-out portionsin dotted outline. Fig. 4 is a plan of the steadyingring. Fig.5 is adetail showing the manner of engaging the bent ends of the clamping ringextensions with, the supporting plate. ing the application of theinvention tothe retention of a plurality of battery cells. Fig. 7 is aplan of the parts as illustrated in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailof a portion of the enlarged supporting plate embodied in Figs. 6 and7..

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts in allfigures.

.This invention includes a clamping member which embodies an expandingand contracting part in'juxtaposition to which the body or object .toheld may be placed; a

Fig. 6 is a perspective il-lustrat-v shoulder or stop rigid with saidmember bemg so related to the object that the latter contactingtherewith during the final posi-' tloning movement of the object forcesthe clamping part into positive engagement therewith The form of thisclamping .part

is adapted to suit the form of the ob]ect to be held. It mayconveniently consist of a ring where such object is cylindrical. It ishere so shown.

Referrin "to the drawing, 2 designates a ring shaped clamping partconveniently made of wire and which for the purpose of being freed fromand of rigidly clamping,

as desired, an .inserted object, such as a syringe B in Fig. 1 or abattery cell G in Fig. 6, is suflicieiitly resilient to expandandcontract within the'necessarylimits. This clamping member is so, mountedas to be capable of being shifted laterally to the plane of contractionand expansion. The end portions 2 2 of the wire ring are parallellyextended as indicated, the same being slidably mounted in bearings i, 4,adjacent to the ring and bearings 5, 5, somewhat removed therefrom.

Between the ring 2 and the: parallel portions 2 2 and connecting the twointegrally together are converging portions 2 2 adapted to enterbearings 4, 4:, when the ring is forced downward in Fig. 2 and therebycontract the ring on the inserted b ect; conversely, when the ring isshifted 1n the oppositedirection, portions 2 2 passing out of thebearings permit the resilience of the ring-to expand thesame and thusfree I into the ring 2 shall of itself cause the contraction of thelatter, there is provided a' stop or shoulder on portions 2 2 adapted tocontact with the inserted object and thereby during the finalmovement ofthe object cause the parts to move lengthwise in their bearings. Ashereindicated these. I stops-consist of the laterally bent ends '2 2,

of the portions 2?, 2 It is evident, furthermore,,'that when the clampedobject is grasped and forcibly pulled, upward in Fig. 1, ring 2 iscarried with it some dis-' tanoe until the portions 2 2 passing out"of'their bearings permit the ring to resiliently expand and thusautomatica lease the object.

lly re- Bearings 4, 4L, 5, 5, are usually rigid with a suitablesupporting plate, as a wall or base plate. They may be struck up from asheet metal blank. This is the construction here illustrated in which astamped plate 6 is struck up with projecting ears (these being indicatedin dotted outline) these latter being bent over to form the bearingsspecifiedand the plate having holes 6 for its attachment. Probably alsowhere an elongated cylinder is to be held, as is the casehere, anencircling steadying ring 7 is also provided for the end of the objectopposite to that with which the contracting ring engages. The ends ofthisring may be pinched'between the bent over ears 7 7 of plate 6.

The invention may be obviously applied to the support of a number ofobjects on the same plate, as for instance the separate cells C of abattery. This is illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 in which 8 designatesthe plate from the material of which the various bearings are struck upas before. Like 'parts in these figures being given the same charactersof reference as in the figures already described, further detaildescription is deemed unnecessary.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a clamp support, thecombination of a clamping ring, parallelly disposed projectionsextending laterally to the plane of the ring, converging portionsconnecting the ring with said projections, bearings in which saidconverging portions are slidably mounted and which operate to open andclose the ring during the sliding movement of said portions therein andbearings in which said parallelly disposed projections are slidablymounted.

2. In a clamp support, the combination of a clamping ring, parallellydisposed projections extending laterally to the plane of the ring,converging portions connecting the ring with said projections, bearingsin which said converging portions are slidably mounted and which operateto open and close the ring during the sliding movement of said portionstherein, stops extending from said projections and bearings contiguousto said stops in which said parallelly disposed projections are slidablymounted.

3. In a clamp support, the combination of a clamping ring, parallellydisposed projections extending laterally to the plane of the ring,converging portions connecting the ring with said projections, bearingsin which said projections are slidably mounted and. which operate toopen and close the ring during the sliding movement of the projectionstherein, a stop extending from said projections, and a steadying ringfor the opposite end of the object to that with which the clamping ringengages.

4. In a clamp support, the combination of a clamping ring, parallellydisposed projections extending laterally to the plane of the ring,converging portions connecting the ring with said projections, bearingsin which said projections are slidably mounted and which operate to openand close the ring during the sliding movement of the projectionstherein, a stop extending from said projections, a steadying ring, and asheet metal supporting plate to which said steadying ring is secured andfrom which said bearings are struck up.

5. In a clamp support, the combination of a plurality ofclamping rings,a mounting for each ring embracing a pair of parallelly disposedlaterally extending projections integrally connected to the ring byangularly disposed portions, stops formed by the bent ends of saidprojections, a sheet metal supporting plate, bearings struck up fromsaid plate and in which said projections are slidably mounted and whichoperate to open and close the ring during the sliding movement of theprojections therein, and steadying rings secured to said plate andcorresponding in number to the number of clamping rings.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

PETER GRAHAM MACGREGOR.

Witnesses:

B. B. Zrrru'r, R. W. PrrrMAN.

